Wendy Johnson
The itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout,
Down came the rain and washed the spider out!
Up came the sun and dried up all the rain,
And the itsy bitsy spider went up the spout again!
This sunny collection from Piggy Tales called Itsy Bitsy Spider inspired this little collection of cards for a class retreat I taught at last December. I love the sunny yellow, grass green and beetle black for a very colorful combination!
One of my favorite things to do is take a collection of supplies and create little sets of coordinating cards to give as gifts to others. I have a basket filled with these little gifts so I’m always ready for those last minute tokens of appreciation, birthdays or just because. How many of you enjoy creating coordinating card sets? If you’re like me and always looking for new ideas, here’s a few to try!
- For the gardener in your life, create a cute set embellished with a gardener’s theme and tuck them inside a set of gloves or a flower pot wrapped with a bow.
- Create a cute set of cards tucked inside a mini loaf pan for the queen chef or baker herself!
- For the teachers in your lives, try creating an adorable set and tuck them inside a cute lunch pail or pencil box.
- Give the gift of birthday cards to someone special and wrap long skinny balloons around the set for a festive look!
The next time you have a gift to give, try giving a part of yourself and create a cute set of cards. The recipient will love you for it!
Wendy, Paper Crafts Pro
P.S. Need some design inspiration? Our latest special issue 225 Cards & Gifts has a whole chapter dedicated to gifty card sets! And since I’m feeling generous, I’m giving away three copies right here! Leave a comment telling me fun ways you would package a card set (see examples above). All comments must be received by midnight (MST) on Thursday, May 7. The winners will be announced on Friday’s blog!
I tend to pack sets of cards in a scarf or pillowcase. People are always surprised!
Thank you for the chance to win!
I try different ways to pack card sets. I use ribbon, altered lunch boxes, homemade sacks, & boxes to name a few. Thanks for a chance at this fabulous giveaway.
So adorable! I really like the colors and embellies you chose! I would make a coordinating gift bag….always fun!
I’ve always just tied a pretty ribbon around the stack of cards/envies. I love the idea of the box!
I love that paper – such a bold and fun color combo! I like to use PTI’s My Timeless Templates. Thanks for the chance!
Love the pom pom ribbon…you’re work is terrific. I just love it! As for me, I love to package my sets in gift boxes–and I like to change it up by using different gift boxes all the time. Thanks for the chance to win.
I’ve never actually thought of how I’d give someone a set of cards, but I think tying it up with twine or a ribbon around the middle might be cute!
Fun ways to package card sets?
Well, I’ve tied them all together with ribbon and I’ve created special pocket cards. But I think I like your box a little bit better. It seems more gifty.
I’ve seen lots of purses out there…and I have yet to sit down and attempt to create my own version of that. I think my next project will be a breifcase full of masculine cards.
I think I would make a matching gift bag to go with the cards. Or maybe a matching file box…..You got me thinking here!
I like to tie them up with ribbon and a bow, with maybe a flower attached.
I like to tear strips of cute cotton fabric and tie cards up in a bunch with a big bow. Add a sprig of greenery and tadah! A cute quick way to give cards.
oh i like the last comment of tying them together with strips of fabric! cute idea!!!! I LOVE making cards so what a fun way to keep them together and give them as a gift.
I like to make a matching box for cards, but my favorite way is to tie a beautiful ribbon around them. Thank you for the chance to win.
I think it’d be fun to get a texas size muffin pan and fill with smaller cards…and a how to make GIANT YUMMY chilis molten lava cake recipe from topsecretrecipes.com
I like to tie a beautiful ribbon and a natural flower together.
I like to create little paper ‘folders’ to put sets in. That way they have it all right there and it is easy to store!
I like dressing up a simple brown paper bag- pretty paper, ribbon, stamps. Easy to tailor it to any occasion or person
in the past I’ve made either gift boxes or folders to put them in. but since my next set is going to someone who works at a camp, I’m planning to make a little backpack to put them into. I hope it turns out as cute as the one I’m thinking of in my head!
I like to tuck them in with something special–like a spa basket for a friend with bath salts and candles and a monagrammed card set specifically for her.
I love making card sets! I usually put them in a little box or purse holder of some sort. I have small boxes from jewelry, etc… that are perfect – even the boxes checks come in are good for long skinny cards. Thanks for the link to itsy spider–great color combo.
Great card set. I love to give these for gifts. I usually try to put the in containers appropriate to the occasion. For general gifts, I use clear card boxes embellished, purse holders etc.
what a great gift sets of cards! I like stuffing mine inside a clear box so you can see them peeking through!
In the past I have made a box that is big enough to hold the cards, envelopes, pen and stamps, so everything is at hand to send out a card. Thanks for the chance to win.
Carol
Gorgeous boxed sets! I would love to win a copy of 225 Cards & Gifts- I’ve been drooling over it every time you post something related! Thanks for the chance to win.
I save small containers I receive through out the year, I have a clear small box in mind to embellish with ribbon and crystals. I plan on making it pretty and using it to pack my cards . I also like to embellish paper sacks and make cloth bags as well. Your post got my mind turning, thanks.
I like to use recycled boxes. Better for the environment!
I like to recycle my plastic boxes that my stamps come in. I can doll them up with any theme I like. Even just a belly band to keep it simple and wrap them with a gift.
I would just tie ribbon around it. I found that boxes get ripped with the person taking the cards out….
I always love to add a ribbon and a cookie cutter. They have so many darling shapes out there to choose from.
I would alter a box to put the cards in. Keeps them neater!
Thanks for the chance!
I either use clear plastic boxes that I partially line with matching paper and create a belly band, or I use one of the cute purse templates.
I like to make the box I place the cards in to match the personality of who I am giving them to.
I have a purse template that I use for my ladyfriends. If it is for a more formal or older friend I put the cards inside the envolopes and put a cover sheet on top and tie with a silk ribbon.
I have never made a card set for a male.
debbie peysen
I would make a set of cards out of coordinating papers and then cover a large recipe box with papers of the same for the card storage…thus providing two gifts!
I like the idea of putting them in a box, but I also think just tying a big, fluffy bow around them is simply beautiful! Thanks for the inspiration!
Package them in a fabric bag.
I usually make my own “box” that opens like a folder with boxy pockets inside each side. Thanks for the chance to win!
I, also, use the same as mentioned already…tie with ribbon and sometimes add flowers.
You could, also, make a purse and shoe theme set for the shopping addict and put in a mini purse.
A coffee or tea set would be cute in a mug…obviously would have to find one of the “giant” style mugs…Pier 1 was good for them, not in the area anymore.
Thanks for the chance to win a special issue, that’s awesome!
I’ve only done a boring ribbon around my cards so far. I’m excited for some new, actually do-able ideas.
I like to use different paper crafted boxes, purses, or totes to give them to people. I’m going to use a paper crafted backpack for my next set.
I use matching card stock and make a folder with pockets. I put the cards on one side and the envelopes on the other and tie with a ribbon. I decorate the front of the folder to go with the theme.
I love your ideas! I typically tie raffia ribbon around a set for a simple look.
A set of handmade baby-themed thank you notes makes a nice gift for a new mommy when tucked into a receiving blanket.
i like to use leftover boxes that i got as gifts like hat boxes and alter those to hold cards. i also reused a card/staionary box the other day and covered it with pretty paper.
So cute! I have decorated a card box to match the card set.
Love the crisp, clean, and capricious look to these cards. I lwould “repurpose” boxes from boxed card sets by decorating them to match the handmade card set.
Love the crisp, clean, and capricious look to these cards. I would “repurpose” a box from a boxed card set by decorating it to match the handmade cards.
LOVE those colors! Green, yellow, black and white are so great together!
I normally package cards together with a ribbon and some flowers, or make a cute little bag to match.
Thanks for the chance to win!
-Lindsay
Beautiful project! I would decorate it for my sister to have cards handy! She’s always asking me at the last minute for cards! Thanks!
I mostly put my gift sets in a clear bag and either make a topper or tie with ribbon. I also have made the folder to put them in. Thanks for the chance to win this awesome magazine!